ALBAWABA - Riad Salameh, the former governor of the central bank of Lebanon, is now facing a new accusations by the Public Prosecutor of Appeals, Lebanese media reported on August 10.
Al-Jadeed TV reported that the Public Prosecutor of Appeals, Judge Raja Hamoush, filed charges against Salameh and referred him, while in custody, to the First Investigating Judge.
According to media reports, the charges against Salameh include embezzlement of funds from the Central Bank of Lebanon, money laundering, establishing shell companies to purchase shares and transfer funds fraudulently, in addition to bribery and illicit enrichment.
A Lebanese protester spray paints a slogan on the fence of the Banque du Liban (Lebanese Central Bank) at its branch in the southern city of Sidon on October 24, 2019, reading in Arabic "Riad Salameh (bank governor) is a thief). Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP
Last Saturday, the Lebanese economist was transferred to Roumieh prison after being under guard at a hospital, following the postponement of a court hearing scheduled for Thursday.
According to a Lebanese judicial official, as quoted by AFP, Riad Salameh fell ill while en route to court to face charges of embezzlement and illicit enrichment.
Then, he "was taken to the prison and is now among the detainees there" by order of the Attorney General.
